Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Regrets.

One night, I lay in bed thinking of my day and reflecting on what's happened in the past week. I came to realize that a few things have happened that I would usually classify as "regrets". However, I was in a new mindset and I felt as if those regrets could be made positive. 

Why regret something and see it as a negative thing, when you can easily turn it into a life lesson? Why sit around feeling sorry for yourself, when you can wake up tomorrow, seeing the world in a different better, brighter light? Now, when I did something that I wish I hadn't or said something that was definitely not the right thing to say I don't regret things. I ask myself these questions. I reflect on why I felt compelled to do what I did and I think about what I can learn from my mistakes.


This new mindset has kept me so calm and tranquil these past few days. In situation that I would usually be completely freaking out and panicking I now somehow manage to stop and think for a while. Has this happened to me before? If yes, what did I do and was I pleased with the result of my actions? 

If you were to take one thing away from today's post, it should be that you should never regret anything. Regret is such a negative word - of course you will see everything in a negative light! Instead, look back on your actions, reflect, and regret nothing.

xoxo,
Liz

Monday, November 18, 2013

"Chill Out" Playlist: Fall/Winter 2013

I am so beyond glad to say that my anxious days are over...well, for now. As some of you might know, I got super anxious during the week before my fall break, but now everything just died down. Yes, a lot of drama has been happening, but I don't let that stop me! In fact, that's probably why I've been listening to more and more R&B and rap ("Ego"? yes puhlease). 

However, I still do (and probably always will have) those days when I'm feeling a little under the weather for some reason or just simply calm and relaxed. That's when I like to bust out my chill playlist. And, as promised before, here it is! 


I'm happy to say that this playlist is actually a big hit for me. I listen to it all the time - in the mornings, before bed, at least once a day! It's a little of everything - some alternative (Fleet Foxes...I've never even heard of them before this!), some R&B (hellooooo Drake), and mostly just chill, relaxed music. Tori Kelly is one of my favorite artists, I found her on YouTube and I've been obsessed ever since! She recently came out with her second EP and it has some really catchy tunes on it. "Ancora Quie" by Elisa Toffoli has also been one of my (and my mom's!) favorites. Yes, it is from the "Django" movie but it's so calming and just gorgeous!

Let me know if you like any of the songs above!

xoxo,
Liz

Friday, November 15, 2013

Winter 2013 Must-Haves (Fashion)

It might seem a little early for this, but I'm already seeing YouTube videos on how to decorate your room for Christmas, so I'm not the only one. Fashion is one of my favorite things in the world, and winter is pretty much my favorite seasons - could it get any better?

Today I decided to share this year's winter fashion must-haves with you all! These are *obviously* essential items that I have to have in my closet during the holiday/winter season. I live in a very cold, wintery climate, so the items below will probably be different for you (and every other person), but these are my personal favorites and some things that I think you'll like.


bell hat
So Blair Waldorf! When I see this hat I just think of a fashionable, chic New Yorker, taking a stroll on a gray winter morning in Central Park. Of course, the Hermés one (shown here) is not my essential - I own two from Target, and that's it - but if you love this and want to go out and get it, more power to you!

plaid headband
A headband is an essential for every girl - no matter what hair length, hair color, etc. You never know when you'll be having a bad hair day and you'll need to put your bangs up/put your hair in a bun! Better safe than sorry, so on casual days I like to dress my outfit up by adding a cute, preppy headband. Besides, plaid/tartan is all the rage right now, and so winter-appropriate!

infinity scarf
Honestly, infinity scarves are the only ones that I ever wear. They can look casual, but you can also dress an outfit up with one! A cream-colored one looks so cozy and cuddly - I can just see myself in leggings, fuzzy socks, a knit sweater, and this scarf, curled up in a big armchair by the fireplace.

button-up
A must-have for any time of the year, I just couldn't leave the classic button-up off this list. You could wear this with virtually anything, anyhow, anywhere, any time. I love wearing these with sweaters and statement necklaces in the fall and winter seasons!

silk PJ top
This has been a love/hate item for many people this season. It's one of those trends when you can't decide whether you like it and want to rock it or hate it and want people to start wearing PJs in public... I am one of those people who despises pajamas in public. Seriously, those are for your personal time. It's like wearing lingerie to a business meeting! However, if you wear a nice silk pajama top (I really want a monogrammed one!) with dressier bottoms, I totally think you can make this trend work.

leather pleated skirt
Preppy with an edge never looked so good. Leather has been super "in" this fall/winter season, and I love incorporating trendy elements into classic designs, so this couldn't be more perfect. The pleats are very flattering on most figures/body types and the shiny leather is just asking for a double-take! ;)

pavé link bracelet
If you're looking for an attention-grabbing statement bauble - this is your treasure. You can wear it so many ways - alone, stacked with arm candy, with a dress, with casual wear, any way you wish! For the holiday season I especially like to pair this with simple, classic jewelry - like pearls - for a timeless, cute look.

Hunter rain boots
As I've mentioned many times before, the winter weather is very harsh in Moscow - it rains, it hails, it snows, and anything in between. Ever seen slush/rain/snow falling from the sky, freezing electricity wires and trees? Not fun. But Hunter boots help me through that and more ;) I'd recommend getting a simple, versatile color if you live somewhere where there isn't as much precipitation (black, navy, red, or hunter green are classics), but bright colors (pink, turquoise, yellow, etc.) are fun when you live somewhere that gets lots of rain or snow or if you have multiple pairs of shoes made for similar weather conditions.

 winter Hunter socks
These go along with the mentioned above - if you mostly wear Hunters a lot in the fall/spring season when it rains a lot, but you don't really need warmth, then don't bother getting a pair of "special socks". However, if you like to wear rain boots (Hunter rain boots, that is) when it's snowing outside and you do need the extra heat - these socks are sure to keep you warm and cute (they come in tons of different patterns and colors)!

L.L. Bean 8" Duck boots
A winter classic, a preppy essential...the duck boot. I like to call these my "bulldog boots" - they're so ugly it's cute! Wearing these with thick, wool socks is one of the best feelings in the winter-time - it's like walking on a heated carpet in fuzzy socks. Plus, these are sure to get you through snow piles or yucky puddles.

 Pixie Pants
I absolutely feel the need to include these in almost every single one of my "must-haves" lists, simply because they are my ultimate must-have. In fact, I'm wearing a pair right now. I could write a book about these (a big, thick one, full of inspiring ideas and thought-provoking insights), a symphony, a song - pixie pants are just that amazing. Any season, any occasion, any height, any age level (well, okay, almost any), navy, black, grey, leather, with leather tuxedo stripes - the choice is yours! If you don't own a pair - YOU ARE MISSING OUT.

red cardigan
Who doesn't love a pop of color on a cloudy, dark winter morning? I know I do! Lately, I've been wearing a lot of neutrals, so a bright cardigan really gets me going. There aren't many better ways to make your outfit more festive/bright/preppy than by adding a red cardigan, so jump at the opportunity if you can!

 Patagonia fleece
Oh, the Patagonia fleece. They come in all shapes, colors, and sizes, and everyone loves them. They're very similar to the Vineyard Vines Shep Shirts, but much warmer and, to me, cozier. Fleece sweaters give you this private-school-casual-preppy-person vibe that I LOVE (because that's basically me). I'm asking for one this Christmas and you better be too ;)

What are some of your winter must-have clothing items? Let me know in the comments below along with any other suggestions or questions!

xoxo,
Liz

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Who to follow: Personal Style & Fashion Blogs

Fashion magazines, TV shows, movies, Instagram - these are just some of the ways people share their personal styles and the latest trends with others. Recently, I've been more and more into getting inspiration not from my magazine subscriptions, but from blogs. I usually check on them every evening to get some fashion inspiration for the next day or two.

What really makes me go read fashion blogs on the internet and not open the latest Lucky issue is the realness of it all. These are real girls, ladies, women blogging about fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and everything in between. The women in the outfit of the day posts aren't models (well, okay, usually they're not) and they wear something that represents their personal style and the way they see fashion.

And while I can only dream of blogging on the level of The Blonde Salad or Classy Girls Wear Pearls, I very much look up to and admire all of the bloggers mentioned below. They aren't listed in a particular order and I think it's safe to say I love them all equally. Each blog is special in its own way - whether that be the style of writing, outfits, or the blog design is for you to decide.

If you haven't already read my post on who to follow on Instagram - you can check it out and see if you like any of my favorites! Hope you enjoy this post and find some new blogs to read. Below I included the blogger's banner, link/name of the blog, and a little about the blogger (in their own words). I won't write much about each blog, I'll simply rate it on a scale from 1 to 10 :)

This is not meant to be offensive or hurtful in any way, I hope my readers and fellow bloggers can understand this. This "review", if you will, is just my personal opinion, based on my likes and dislikes for each of these.

8/10
Quirky. Type A. Workaholic. I graduated from Georgetown University in May 2012. That summer, I moved to New York City where I'm working at a tech startup.

7/10
Hi there! 
I'm Mackenzie, a 24-year-old redhead living in New York City. I started Design Darling in 2009 and launched an online boutique by the same name in 2012. I grew up in Connecticut, graduated from Bucknell, and now live and work in a tiny studio with my puppy Rory. I hope you'll sit back and stay awhile!
Why I blog...
Design Darling is a blog about the people, places, and things I love. I write about fashion and interiors, keep a list of 101 things I'd like to accomplish in 1001 days, and share bits and pieces of my life I hope you'll be able to relate to as well. Design Darling is my happy place — and I hope it becomes one for you too.
Now for a few fun facts...
My middle name is Elizabeth and my favorite colors are hot pink and navy blue. I enjoy cocktail rings and snail mail. I delight in to do lists and love to travel but hate to unpack. I will forever associate fall with new school supplies. I dream of color-coordinated closets and setting foot on each of the seven continents. My drink of choice is an Arnold Palmer and my favorite place in the world is Nantucket. I believe that happiness is a stack of unread magazines and that books should indeed be judged by their covers. I've been known to revive old furniture with a fresh coat of paint and I love a monogram on, well, just about anything!


8/10
Gal Meets Glam is source for inspiration that covers everything from fashion and beauty to home and travel. I hope to encourage people to add a little glam to their everyday life!


8.5/10
I am a teenage blogger based in Texas. I started this blog as a creative outlet and it turned into a place where I can showcase my style and do something I love. Some of my favorite things include: Martha's Vineyard, interior decorating, traveling, photography, and food. If you want anything, or just want to chat, email me at graceywallace@yahoo.com

      

         GADABOUT
8/10

Hanna launched the GADABOUT blog in two thousand and eight as a shy attempt to pinpoint her perspective and encourage inspiration. Having recently confirmed (if only to herself) she wanted a career in graphic design, she saw the blog as a beginning of what would become her company. Through the daily challenge of curating content and starting conversation, GADABOUT has given Hanna the opportunity to develop her graphic work, define her aesthetic and connect with an incredible community. For this, she is so grateful.



9.5/10

Howdy! My name is Jacey Durpie & I am a damsel in dior. Get this: I don't own one piece of DIOR {true story!}. My hope is that this blog will inspire you to always feel like you are wearing a piece of Dior and to never {ever} feel like a damsel in distress. I grew up on a cotton farm in Texas where I never quite fit in. So I moved to Chicago to study journalism at Depaul University & relocated to L.A. after college. My number one hobby is to travel and eat chicken fingers. I am a full time blogger for not only damsel in dior but other sites such as StyleMePretty, SimplyStylist, Beth Helmsetter & guest contributor to various others. Favorite quote: "We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of the dreams". Weird fact: I like to drive barefoot. Thank you for visiting my creative space. XO, Jacey.

8/10
Hello! I'm delighted you're here! I'm Kelly, a freelance graphic designer, stylist and soon-to-be online shop owner. This blog is a daily love letter dedicated to the things I adore and am inspired by, mixed with bits of my life. I live in Dallas, TX with my adorable rescue pup, Tucker, and can usually be found enjoying the city with family and friends, which likely includes brunch at La Duni, shopping with my sister and a Mi Cocina margarita or two.
My style can be best described as classic with a dose of modern, and I have an affinity for fresh flowers, blue and white china, flats instead of heels, fancy coffee & my beloved Dallas Cowboys.


9/10
With Love From Kat is a personal style blog where I share my love for fashion, decor, and travel.  
When I'm not blogging I enjoy spending time with my boyfriend Tommy, 
trying new restaurants, exploring vintage stores, and traveling.  
Thank you for reading! x 


9.5/10
Hi! My name is Helena (pronounced Huh-ley-na). Born and raised in NYC and currently living in Brooklyn with my fiancé (Keith, the other half of this blog) and our two dogs. My birthday is September 28th and I'm the epitome of a Libra and also somewhat into astrology. My parents are from Moscow, and I like to say that I speak Russian fluently, but my mother would probably disagree. Aside from the people in my life, I cannot live without music, good coffee, chocolate, red wine and the occasional martini (with a twist, please!)


7.5/10
Julie Sarinana founded Sincerely Jules in February 2009 as a creative outlet to express her thoughts, inspirations, style and love of everything cool. Jules chronicles her daily style, travels and life and continues to inspire and motivate her readers, one outfit at a time. In addition to her blog, Jules has contributed to and has been featured in: Glamour.com, Elle.com, E! News, Lucky Magazine, Teen Vogue and Cosmopolitan Latina.

7/10
FAQs
Where do you live?
Right now, John and I are technically ‘homeless’, if you will. John’s medical school is in Blacksburg, Virginia. I am from a very small town in Arkansas & John is from Columbus, Ohio. We are spending August 2013 – April 2014 doing John’s ‘audition rotations’. This requires us to relocate to a new city and/or state each month. We spent a month in Fort Smith, AR, Tulsa, OK, and next is Little Rock, AR. This winter we will be in Virginia & the Carolinas.
When/Why did you start blogging?
I started The Sweetest Thing in January of 2012. At the time, it was simply a way to document what John & I were up to… what I did while he studied, where we traveled on the weekends, wedding planning, etc. In the Spring of 2013, the blog more or less evolved into a place to document my personal style & share hair/beauty routines/opinions/reviews. Because I do like to stay true to my ‘roots’, I try to always keep it updated with what we are up to, still.
What is your education?
John & I actually met in college at Harding University where I got a BBA in Sales/Marketing. During his first year of medical school, I stayed at Harding to get my MBA.
Where did you get your blog name from?
The Sweetest Thing is a song by U2, one that I always loved. One evening soon after becoming engaged to John (when I knew I may start a blog), I heard the song on the radio. Towards the end it says, “a blue eyed boy met a brown eyed girl, oh, oh, The Sweetest Thing,” and I knew I had to go with it! I’ve always loved his pretty blue eyes!

What are some of your favorite blogs? Let me know in the comment section below!

xoxo,
Liz

Friday, November 8, 2013

The "Sweater Weather" Tag!

Can you believe it's already November?! I know I can't - October seemed like the longest month and it was oh-so-stressful, but it still went by pretty fast. The cold and rainy weather outside is getting me pumped for winter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, winter break - I could go on forever!

Today I decided to do the "Sweater Weather" tag that has been going around YouTube. I love doing tags because I love answering questions and I feel like my readers get to know me a bit better after each one. If you want to answer any of these - feel free to do so in the comment section below!

1. Favorite candle scent? Right now this would definitely be "Apple Pie" by (you guessed it) Bath and Body Works. I also love those candles where the wicker makes a crackling sounds, but those are hard to find where I live, so my most loved one this fall is "Apple Pie".

2. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? If you know me (or read my blog often enough) you already know the answer to this question. I've probably said this 500 times, but I am absolutely positively a coffee person. Even though I like tea and used to drink hot chocolate all the time, coffee just holds a special place in my heart.

3. What's the best fall memory you have? This question is probably the hardest one to answer, simply because I don't have many fall memories... My birthday is in the first week of October, so birthday memories are always fun. I remember going to Vienna with my grandma and sister a year or two ago during the fall time and it was beautiful! The weather was good, the leaves were falling, the air was crisp and the shopping was amazing ;) Since I'm only 15, there's not that much to remember from my "childhood" and I actually think something might be wrong with my memory, because I can hardly remember my life from first till sixth grade... I remember some parts, but not the important ones, and it just makes me so sad!

4. Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner? Winged eyeliner! I wear gel or liquid eyeliner on my top lash line every single day, so winging it out it just a plus for me. I usually wear black eyeliner in the fall/winter months and brown in the spring/summer months.

5. Best fragrance for fall? I just came back from my trip to Rome, where I stopped by the Jo Malone store to look around and maybe get a candle or two. Naturally, I ended up walking out of the store with a little bag and a big fragrance inside...Rose Water & Vanilla. Since perfume never lasts on me long enough, I wanted to get one of their scents in the black bottles as opposed to the clear ones (they're meant to be stronger and last longer). Pretty sure I found my signature scent, so this is not only my favorite for fall, but for year-round.

6. Favorite Thanksgiving food? Stuffing. I am currently on a "no cheat meals until Thanksgiving" roll (fitness junkies, you know what I'm talking about) just so I can allow myself to eat some stuffing on Thanksgiving. My mom makes this stuffing with cornbread, dried white bread, celery, and a bunch of other goodness (not sure what kind exactly) that my grandmother and great-grandmother used to make and I loooove it! Seriously though, I hardly eat gravy or cranberry sauce - just turkey and tons of stuffing.

7. What is autumn weather like where you live? Cold, windy, and very rainy. Early September is my favorite month of the year here in Moscow, though, so it's not that bad...until October. October is when the temperature starts dropping, the rain starts falling, and the sun starts disappearing. By this time, leaves are already all on the ground, grass isn't bright green anymore, and the clouds often cover the sky. November always comes with a thud - super cold weather (think 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit), lots of rain, and practically no sun. So think twice before you move to Moscow ;)

8. Most worn sweater? This will probably come as a shocker but I don't wear sweaters as much as you probably think I would. My issue is, my body shape is already kind of squared off (my mid-section), so sweaters just make me look more bulky. I love cardigans, though, and my most worn would definitely be the Madewell Log Cabin cardigan (it's almost all sold out, so hurry!) - you can wear it buttoned or unbuttoned and it goes with practically everything.

9. Most-have nail polish this fall? I actually have a post on my favorite fall nail polish, but my favorite one at the moment is Raven Red by Revlon. It's a nice "oxblood", if you will, color - a deep, burgundy, maroon-ish red. Perfect for any look, goes with every outfit, and puts you into that classy, put-together fall mood ;)


10. Football games or jumping in leaf piles? I've never been much of a sports person (just horseback riding and working out), and watching sports just never made sense to me. I know many people are passionate about football, but because I've been living in Russia for most of my life, I never got to experience the football season. However, I do love jumping in leaf piles. It can get a bit dangerous where I live, though, since bees often make beehives in the leaves, but when I'm in the US I try to get as much leaf-jumping in as possible. 

11. Skinny jeans or leggings? Jeans are not my friend. My legs are very muscular and on the shorter side, and jeans are just not flattering. Leggings, however, are probably my most-worn fashion piece. Now, don't worry, I don't wear them as pants - I don't even wear normal "leggings", the only "leggings" that I own are the J.Crew Pixie Pants. They are so much more flattering and comfortable than jeans, you can dress them down or dress them up, and they're suitable for any time of the year, so I don't see why I should even own jeans. Confession: I only own 2 pairs of jeans, one of which are jeggings.

12. Combat boots or Uggs? UGGs all the way! Even though I'd never wear them out in public (except for my UGG moccasins), I love wearing them on weekends or in the car. When I think about it, there's nothing wrong about wearing UGGs in public, so if you do - I'm not judging! They are just way too casual for my style and wardrobe, so that's pretty much the only reason why I don't wear them out.

13. Is pumpkin spice worth the hype? Yes, but the gingerbread latte is SO much better! Maybe it's just me, but I personally enjoy the winter drinks more than the fall ones - the pumpkin spice is the best for fall and the gingerbread latte is my favorite for winter. Not going to lie, though, I usually just get a chai tea latte or a latte with soy milk when I go to Starbucks...

14. Favorite fall TV show? I'm not a big TV show person (not going to whine about the lack of free time I have), so I only watch two or three TV shows. I've always watched Gossip Girl (still watch it while I'm doing homework, eating, working out, or cleaning my room) and Keeping Up With the Kardashians, but I started watching The Carrie Diaries last year and I was instantly hooked. Season 2 just aired not so long ago, so my favorite "fall" TV show would be The Carrie Diaries this year, even though it has hardly anything to do with fall.

15. What song really gets you into the fall spirit? "Kiss Me" by Ed Sheeran, simply because I overlistened to it last fall, so I now associate it with fall and winter. Besides, it's so relaxing, calm, and beautiful - it just feels like fall.

xoxo,
Liz

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Fall 2013 Playlist

I haven’t had the best luck with music for the last couple of weeks, but I somehow managed to put together a (what I hope is) decent playlist for the fall months. I haven’t listened to that much music in October, actually - I was so stressed about school that I didn’t really have time. However, on my flight to Italy I got too tired reading, so I decided to listen to some music and, to be completely honest, the fall playlist just made me super anxious and hyper. It might’ve been the insane amounts of coffee I drank during the week (pretty sure I averaged at about 3 a day), but I’m just saying - if you don’t want to get hyped up, don’t listen to this.

Because of the anxiety that I got from listening to this playlist on the plane, I decided to make a “calming” playlist - it turned out to have both current and old favorites that either put me straight to sleep or just make me calm and relaxed. I might upload that one later, but for now here’s my fall 2013 playlist :)


What’s some of your favorite music to listen to right now? Let me know in the comments below along with any other questions or suggestions!

xoxo,

Liz

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Who to follow: Instagram

Everyone knows and loves Instagram. This app has been a huge hit since last year and it continues to be one of the top-selling apps in the Apple app store. Whether you're new to this app (if you are...what rock have you been living under?) or you're just looking for more people to follow, here are some of my favorite Instagrammers.


 Owner of an adorable online boutique, blog, and a lady with amazing fashion sense - Mackenzie is one of my favorite Instagrammers! Her posts never fail to inspire me and bring a piece of New York to my iPhone. 

The woman behind J.Crew's social media and her website, Lucy's posts are refreshingly clean and...well, fresh. Definitely check her Instagram out if you love fashion and architecture, because that's what you'll get.

Amazing photography - really all I can say about Amy's Instagram. Her posts are just so well-put- together and edited flawlessly, it really makes me think twice about what I'm posting on my Instagram.

 If you're into reading style blogs (especially preppy ones), then I'm sure you know Carly from The College Prepster. Even though her style can sometimes be a little too "old" or conservative for me, I love looking through her Instagram posts and seeing what she's been up to. Really, Instagram is just twitter, but in picture form!

I recently followed Chriselle because I started reading her blog and I have to admit, I kind of love her Instagram more than her actual website. Everything is very high-fashion, chic and just plain gorgeous. Definitely one of my favorites!

 Bling? Check. New York? Check. Adorable puppy? Check. If all of that isn't enough to make you follow this account, then I don't know what is. Definitely one of my favorite Instagrams, if not my favorite.

If you love fashion/personal style Instagrams, then you will adore this one! All of the posts are pretty much just outfit posts, but they are so inspiring - when I'm stuck in a fashion rut I always head on to Instagram and Kristina's always wants me to dress better, even when I feel like leggings and a sweater.

Who are some of your favorite Instagrammers? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo,
Liz

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Wishlist Wednesday

I know for a fact (thanks to tumblr) that I'm not the only one who leaves tabs open on my laptop, thinking "nah, I'll get back to that later". And (surprise surprise) most of those tabs are shopping-related. Often times I read a blog and see something that I like, end up clicking on the link to the item, and just stare at it for the next week or two. After a while those tabs turn into my "online wishlist" - things that I love, want, and sometimes need.

In this post I decided to share some of the items that I've had on my "online wishlist". I'm thinking of doing these types of posts every wednesday... Yay or nay? Let me know in the comments below! 


:: one :: two :: three :: four :: five :: six ::

I've been eyeing the ASOS scalloped tote for a looooong time now (number four), but I just can't seem to get myself to buy it - one part of me keeps telling myself I have too many handbags, but the other part keeps saying that I need one that isn't too big or too small and that can fit my 13" laptop in... A nice fur vest (number two) and corduroy skinnies (number five) are the obvious fall essentials that I, believe it or not, do not own yet. Number six is pretty obvious - navy, gold, horses...SOLD! 

What are some things you've been eyeing lately? Let me know in the comments below along with any other post suggestions or questions!

xoxo,
Liz

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Whirlwind.

Lately I've just been too busy. Too busy to watch YouTube, to shop, to spend time with friends and family, to blog - too busy to do things that I love doing. The last week of school before fall break (thank goodness it's finally here) seemed like a year, not five days; I was incredibly stressed, sleep deprived, and anxious. 

Now that break is finally here I've been trying to spend as much time as I can relaxing...in Rome. I am here for break and I am in love with this city (my Instagram is a witness of exactly how much I love it). Everything about Rome is beautiful and I couldn't ask for a better place to relax and forget all of my worries.












I promise to get back into blogging as soon as possible! I really do miss it, but we all have our priorities and right now, mine is to relax and have fun.

xoxo,
Liz

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Pick One: Rebecca Taylor Fall 2013

I've been reading a ton of fashion and lifestyle blogs lately (should I make a list of my favorites?) and they're pretty much where I get all of my fashion inspiration from. I spend a couple of minutes every evening just catching up with the latest posts and planning my outfit for the next day, but when Gadabout posted about Rebecca Taylor I literally gasped.

Immediately after skimming through her post I went onto rebeccataylor.com to look through the whole collection and I completely fell in love. Items were flooding into my cart before I even noticed. Her clothes mix neutrals (read my opinion on that here) and have a lot of leather and tweed - and who doesn't love leather an tweed?!


Now, I'm not going to go out and buy everything in my cart (especially now that I only have a couple hundred dollars from spending $1000 at a restaurant...), so I'm forced to shop smart and pick one or two things that I love the most. Although I highly doubt I'll purchase any of these items anytime soon, a girl can dream, right? ;)

I think these items are perfect fall and winter staples - yes, they are a bit pricey, but wouldn't you rather spend $1000 on a coat that will keep you warm and stylish for years rather than spending $100 on a coat, but buying one every single year? I always put quality over quantity, classic staple pieces will last forever and always be stylish, whereas cheap and trendy pieces will only last you a season or two.

I am very biased towards the tweed jacket because I've been looking for the perfect one for months, so I think that if I was to buy only one thing - that would be it. I love the wool coat, too, but the chunkiness of it could make me look a bit...well, chunky. I'm not that tall and I have a muscular build, so boxy styles tend to be less flattering on me. Nevertheless, I love this collection and I hope you like it too :)

Which item would you buy? Let me know in the comments below along with any other post suggestions!

xoxo,
Liz

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Breaking Fashion "Rules"

No white after labor day, never mix brown, black and navy, redheads can't wear red, never mix gold and silver - how many "fashion rules" are there and how can a person possibly follow them all?! I asked myself this question this morning while re-thinking my outfit - a navy dress, black tights and flats, and a brown bag. Did my outfit look good to me? Absolutely. Did I think that I was breaking a "rule"? Yes.

I felt like I was going to be judged the second I went out of my house - black, navy, and brown all in one outfit?! Horrible. Ugly. A disgrace.

I simply like to call it groundbreaking. According to Michael Kors himself "White after Labor Day is glamorous," and I totally agree. What better way to brighten up a gloomy winter day than by wearing something clean and bright?

So, if you could take one thing away from this post I hope that you understand that there is no "right" or "wrong" in fashion. Yes, there can be a right and a wrong for me, for you, for your best friend - but in the end, fashion and style is what makes you and only you happy, confident, and glowing. 



If you want to wear white after labor day - wear it. If you feel like wearing your brown boots, black pants, and navy sweater all in one outfit - no one is going to stop you. Do what you want to do, wear what you want to wear, as long as you're confident and content.

xoxo,
Liz

Friday, October 4, 2013

Fur Vests

One thing that I didn't add to my fall fashion essentials list is a fur vest. The only reason for that was that it really isn't an "essential" for me. To be completely honest, I don't even own one! 

The thought of owning a fur vest never really crossed my mind, but one of my friends and I had a discussion about these - she was telling me how much she wanted one for her birthday. Boy, let me tell you, she completely sold me on these. I am now on the hunt for the perfect one and I found some inspiration on the way ;)






What were some of your favorite ways to wear a fur vest? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo,
Liz

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Fall Fashion Essentials

I've (sadly) been down with a cold for the past couple of days, so I've had some time (not a lot, but still) to spare. And free time means books, sleep, tumblr, and blogging.

Since the first official day of fall wasn't so long ago, I decided to put together a collage with my 10 fall fashion essentials. Hope you enjoy!


Something about a big oversized flannel and leggings makes me feel so cozy; like I want to light the fireplace, pour myself some coffee and curl up with a book. I love wearing my big flannel (which looks like a lumberjack's shirt, by the way) more as a jacket or a sweater with a tank top, leggings, and riding boots.

I am on a hunt for the perfect khaki skirt and I think I found it. It's the perfect must-have preppy piece for fall that can be worn with anything or anyhow - boots, flats, loafers, t-shirts, blouses, you name it. This one from Madewell is perfect for me, so I may or may not have added it to my online cart...

Everyone knows about my love for horses, brown leather, and boots (which, all together, equals riding boots), so I won't go on and on about these babies. If it's not raining - or worse - snowing outside, you bet I'll be wearing riding boots. Yep. Must-have. Totally worth the money, so invest in a nice ol' pair of leather boots.

This one is a no-brainer, especially if you live somewhere where fall weather isn't all 70 degrees and sunny (ekhem Moscow ekhem). They come in all kinds of different colors, so it's the perfect way to add some color if your wardrobe is all black-and-white.

If you don't live in a rainy climate, then I guess this won't really be an essential for you, but they certainly are for me! I get a ton of use out of my Hunter wellies, even in the winter - you can wear them with special warm socks that come in a bunch of different colors and patterns. Red and navy are always classic color choices, but I got mine in teal and I still wear them with everything!

This is an essential for every season (for me, at least), but I still felt like I had to include a black tote in this list. Black is one of the "it" colors for fall, and a cute tote like the one in the collage (from YSL, by the way) is a good thing to have in your collection any time of the year.

I talked about my recent obsession with motorcycle/leahter-style jackets in my last blog post and I think it's safe to say that I will (hopefully. soon. maybe?) be getting one of these sooner or later. When your outfit looks to grandma-ish (don't know about you, but it happens to me quite often) you just add a jacket like this one and POOF! your outfit is glamorous and not grandma-ous.

Something about leopard-print screams "fall" to me. I'm not a big fan of animal print (zebra. ugh), but I absolutely love leopard. It's so chic and sophisticated I just can't help myself. And what better way to add some sophistication into your outfit than with shoes?   

If you're not yet familiar with the J.Crew "pixie pants" I have two simple things to say to you. One: they are like leggings, but thicker (so your butt and/or underwear isn't on-show) and two: boy, are you missing out. I wear mine all the time, especially since they're perfect for any outfit - no matter how dressy or casual. Hoodie and Uggs? Why not.

And last, but definitely not least, a sweater - the ultimate fall must-have. Sweaters are cozy, soft, and essential. Can't say much more, except that this one from J.Crew is adorable (and sold out almost everywhere!).

What are your fall must-haves? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo,
Liz